I finished the quilt! Actually it’s more of a patchwork blanket than a real quilt. My intention was originally to hand quilt the whole thing but…
… this is the reason why that didn’t happen. Can you see those little pin pricks? I started out doing a running stitch along the side and after three turns there were as many pricks in the tips of my fingers as there were on the actual quilt. I realized it would take me forever and that it would be too much work so I gave up and did it a little bit differently. But here’s how I made the patchwork blanket in the first place:
Remember the fabrics from Etsy I started out with?
They are :
* Riley Blake, Grey Cheery Circles on white
* Monaluna, Mingle, Polka Dots in steel
* Michael Miller, Ta Dots in stone
* Michael Miller, Huevos in gray
* School Days Writing Practice
* Michael Miller, Quatrefoil in pewter
I’m not linking directly to each fabric because it may be sold out from that particular shop but do an “all items” search on Etsy and you’ll find them. I also added a few squares from scraps I had at home.
I used a rotary cutter and a cutting mat and folded the fabric a few times before cutting my squares so I wouldn’t have to cut each square individually. I chose to make mine 11x11 cm (about 4 1/4 inches square) + seam allowance.
I stitched the squares together three by three as you can see here.
I then stitched three strips of three into a square of nine and repeated the process until I had as many 9x9’s to make up my quilt size. My finished quilt is quite a long rectangle because I wanted it to fit over the end of the bed nicely.
After I stitched all my 9x9’s together I lay the whole thing on the living room floor right side up and added a layer of white cotton fabric and a layer of quilt batting. I pinned around all the edges and stitched three sides and turned the whole thing inside out which made the batting end up in the middle. Then I stitched the open end shut.
It was at this point I was going to do the hand quilting but after considering various options like tying little knots in all the corners of the squares etc I decided to go the easy route. So I got my sewing machine out and stitched each corner on the machine, going back and forth a little and then skipping to the next corner. After I was done with all the corners I snipped the threads in between off.
And there it is. Not really the hand stitched quilt that was my original plan but I still love it.
Quilts are SUCH a lot of work Benita.. I think this is a great compromise.
I like the fact that it's not quite what one expects from a traditional quilt. Gives it a very modern twist, and that's VERY you !! ;o)
Jo xx
Posted by: Jo | February 14, 2011 at 04:21 AM
It's perfect!
GIMMEE! XXxx.
Posted by: Bex | February 14, 2011 at 05:00 AM
Just perfect anyway ! i love the grey shades ;o)
Posted by: Virginie | February 14, 2011 at 05:11 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Golla | February 14, 2011 at 05:31 AM
Jättehärlig!
Posted by: Monica B | February 14, 2011 at 05:46 AM
Is that blood on the pricking picture you showed us? Your poor fingers!
You know, they have this nifty invention called the thimble... ;) Just teasing you.
Posted by: April | February 14, 2011 at 05:49 AM
It's gorgeous! Very inspiring to those of us still harboring a little quiltophobia :)
Posted by: Judith | February 14, 2011 at 05:49 AM
A very inspiring post today, as always, Benita! Your very creative solution for the sandwich gets me started to give my own quilt another try -I was fearing that moment. AND your fabric choice is gorgeous. All in all, thank you again. Have a great week!
Posted by: May | February 14, 2011 at 06:07 AM
LOVE it!! Well done and thanks for sharing as always :)
Posted by: Jane | February 14, 2011 at 06:22 AM
so so so lovely. Do you have a picture of the whole quilt?
Posted by: Franziska | February 14, 2011 at 06:30 AM
I did take a photo of it on the floor but it's not very interesting, the whole thing is just random squares.
Posted by: Carlos | February 14, 2011 at 06:33 AM
Den är verkligen fin.:-)
Stina
Posted by: Stina | February 14, 2011 at 07:02 AM
Nice, Benita!
Posted by: Fröken Prickig | February 14, 2011 at 07:04 AM
Hey Benita, I just finished my first quilt last week and I also stumbeled over the quilting.. when I fed the whole 150x200cm monster trough my sewing machine it shifted very badly and I had to rip 300cm seams.. *buh*
I feel so much with you, it is so frustating "fighting" with it, but I love how you solved the problem, looks very very nice!!
Have a nice week with much snuggling under your quilt :)
Josi
Posted by: Josi | February 14, 2011 at 07:14 AM
Great job Benita!! It's looks very neat and comfy.
Posted by: Delikatissen | February 14, 2011 at 07:17 AM
I forgot to mention I did that too! I only did the middle seam and had pinned the layers together with lots of safety pins but that one seam made the whole thing shift completely and I also had to rip it. Hence the small corner stitches...
Posted by: Carlos | February 14, 2011 at 07:29 AM
Väldigt snyggt, det gillar jag! :-)
Posted by: tinajo | February 14, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Benita, It is beautiful!
Posted by: Miss VanDroo | February 14, 2011 at 07:56 AM
It looks great! Good job!
Posted by: Älvan | February 14, 2011 at 08:14 AM
I love the fabrics you have chosen, they look fantastic together. Simple and graphic :)
Posted by: jody | February 14, 2011 at 08:27 AM
SSSSSNYYYYYGT! Me like.
Posted by: Anne | February 14, 2011 at 08:41 AM
Lovely.
Posted by: Ana V. | February 14, 2011 at 09:18 AM
that quilt might even inspire me to quilt! so lovely!
Posted by: kate | February 14, 2011 at 09:25 AM
Very simple and elegant as everything you make!
Posted by: Dominika | February 14, 2011 at 09:40 AM
Things always turn out slightly differently to how you envisage them don't they?! Anyway, I think your quilt turned out rather brilliantly!! Well done!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | February 14, 2011 at 10:24 AM
I've been so excited to see how your quilt project turned out. Oh, it's beautiful! And it looks so cozy there on the bed. Lately, everyone I know has been stocking their guestrooms with these fleece-type blankets, but you know what? There's nothing better in the wintertime than a homemade cotton quilt!
Posted by: Paula | February 14, 2011 at 10:37 AM
love this! i have never sewn before but i really want a quilt for our bed. i've been thinking that a patchwork blanket will do just fine. for a little while i was collecting pillowcases that i liked but i'm not sure why i ever stopped!
i think i will have to get back at it again. :)
Posted by: erin lang norris | February 14, 2011 at 10:55 AM
It's beautiful!
Posted by: Lori | February 14, 2011 at 11:07 AM
So beautiful and calm. Great job!
Kisses from Brazil
Kathia
Posted by: Kathia | February 14, 2011 at 11:16 AM
So snuggy Benita. Warm and lovely.
I wanted to know if you ironed the seams and if you did, did you iron them down to one side or split open.
As an aside, I wonder if you have a drawing of the floor plan of your home?
I think I can put it all together in my head but wondered if you could share a sketch of the two levels of your home.
Many thanks and stay warm.
Posted by: Lauren McF | February 14, 2011 at 11:34 AM
I've been a fool for grey lately and your quilt is no exception! It looks great.
Posted by: Rose | February 14, 2011 at 12:16 PM
It's gorgeous, Benita. I especially love your little work-around with just sewing the corners. I would have never thought of that.
Posted by: foo | February 14, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Very pretty! I love all the grays. I dream of doing something like that with suiting wool. Someday...
Posted by: Gillian | February 14, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Beautiful. If you want to get rid of the blood stains you can rub it with a little contact lens multi-purpose solution and then wash. It's the best for getting out blood. It has stuff in it that breaks down protein. Hope I am not sounding too vampirish - I just know since I have eczema and scratch in my sleep when it is really bad. This was a tip from someone who worked at Bausch and Lomb!!!
Posted by: leslie | February 14, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Patchwork is the best. How cozy. Have you washed it yet? That's when quilts get really puckered and comfy. Yummmmmm.
I was thinking of doing a short cut "corner stitch" method like yours for a blanket for my dog, good to know it works so well!
Posted by: lisa h. | February 14, 2011 at 12:38 PM
It's really lovely - wish I could do something like that! I may have to try and follow your tutorial. I also love your bedroom - so serene!
Posted by: Rebecca @ beautiful square feet | February 14, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Benita, your quilt is lovely! It's so modern and yet so calm and serene. I love the fabric choices!
Posted by: r8chel | February 14, 2011 at 01:18 PM
WOW! What a brilliant selection of fabrics, and the quilt looks beautiful on your bed.
If you aren't familiar, check out www.filminthefridge.com for the most gorgeous quilts and photos ever.
Posted by: Hxx | February 14, 2011 at 01:22 PM
It's beautiful. I love the gray and white combo and all the fabrics you chose work so well together. My mom is a quilter and the 5 or so she's made for me are my very favorite things. =)
Posted by: Kate | February 14, 2011 at 02:03 PM
It looks perfect! I like the grey and white combination, beautiful!
Posted by: Alicia | February 14, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Beautiful and a great accomplishment!
Posted by: Lisa Flaherty | February 14, 2011 at 02:22 PM
Lovely, calming and perfect for year round display.
One of the first tips I learned in a quilting class was that the enzymes in your OWN saliva will disolve your OWN blood from cotton cloth. So, spit on your finger and rub out your pin pricks. It may take a bit of effort - but it works!
Posted by: Nancy | February 14, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Benita - I LOVE it! You should be a quilt designer - a beautiful eye for fabrics.
Posted by: Melissa @ HOUSEography | February 14, 2011 at 03:07 PM
the quilt really defines your room as a "go-to-place" to get cozy... I loved your choice of fabrics... in fact, I showed the cut squares to my mom (a quilter) & she was very curious about the final product. I will share your blog link with her...
love-ly work!
Posted by: christine | February 14, 2011 at 03:20 PM
That was fast!! It looks beautiful, love the combination of fabrics.
Posted by: SewandKnit | February 14, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Benita! This is fantastic! You have inspired me to get going on a few quilting projects I have had waiting. Thank you!!!
Posted by: acreativemint | February 14, 2011 at 03:25 PM
I did wash it to get he puckered effect :).
Posted by: Carlos | February 14, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Love it and love your blog! You're such an inspiration! I've passed your blog onto many others. Keep being you!
Posted by: Tiffany | February 14, 2011 at 04:19 PM
hehe, I wish I would have thought of only stiching the corners.. but I cut 30x30cm squares so it wasn't that much quilting in the end because I quilted at the seams ;)
(you can see the "monster" here: http://embracethehedgehog.blogspot.com/2011/02/ich-habe-den-quilt-igel-umarmt-yay.html )
Posted by: Josi | February 14, 2011 at 04:37 PM
I did iron the seams split open.
You can find the downstairs foot print here http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/2008/07/downstairs-foot.html
and upstairs here http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/2008/06/post-1.html
Posted by: Carlos | February 14, 2011 at 04:39 PM
Beautiful! I love your gray quilt! Wonderful work! Someday I hope to attempt the same! Thanks for the inspiration!
~ Ali
Posted by: Ali | February 14, 2011 at 05:36 PM
I can vouch for the saliva trick. When I used to sew more, I used it all the time, even with a thimble!
You did a beautiful job. Are you inspired to create another one; perhaps for Wille?
Posted by: Another Nancy | February 14, 2011 at 05:40 PM
It's so beautiful Benita! I'm usually a "brights" patchwork girl, but this one's knocked my socks off!
Adelle xx
Posted by: H is for Home | February 14, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Sobre élégant trés classe
que du bonheur
Posted by: bonbonette | February 14, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Benita, it is gorgeous!!! also very inspiring! Thank you!
Posted by: Joëlle | February 14, 2011 at 08:22 PM
I have to admit I have been waiting for you to show the finished quilt. I have to say I am nowhere NEAR disappointed. It looks really great! Well done.
Posted by: Robyn | February 15, 2011 at 01:50 AM
Your new quilt is just yummy! I LOVE the simplicity of the colors. So clean and fresh!
Posted by: Erin Kleider | February 15, 2011 at 01:50 AM
Wonderful!!!
Posted by: Noga | February 15, 2011 at 04:08 AM
I think I'm done for a little while now but if Wille ever wanted one I'd do it all again ofcourse :).
Posted by: Carlos | February 15, 2011 at 05:06 AM
The color combination is awesome. Thanks you so much for sharing that quick tips. It's indeed worth the read.
Posted by: Oak Furniture Kent | February 15, 2011 at 05:35 AM
Hi Bettina,
Lovely quilt. Did you consider some machine top stitching?
Also... check out Lotta Jansdotter's quilt in her new book... nice randomness of the patches and similar good taste in colorway.
Posted by: Martha | February 15, 2011 at 06:10 AM
Gorgeous color and fabric choices! I love how you have a plan and get things done. I love to plan...but stumble on the execution. :)
Posted by: kathleen | February 16, 2011 at 01:33 AM
Love it. It looks so sophisticated and gorgeous and comfy. I might try doing one soon. Quick question: do you remember where you bought the School Days Writing Practice fabric? I tried to find it on etsy and was unsuccessful. Thanks so much. Have a good one.
Posted by: Carmen | February 16, 2011 at 11:24 AM
I got it from this shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/uberstitch and at the moment you can get it from here http://www.etsy.com/listing/68154119/school-days-alphabet-fabric-on-white-by?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=school%2Bdays%2Bfabric&ga_search_type=all.
Posted by: Carlos | February 16, 2011 at 12:04 PM
The quilt is gorgeous! I love the fabrics and colour scheme you chose. It's a gorgeous piece of handiwork, it's ok you cheated a little.
Posted by: kerstina | February 19, 2011 at 05:16 AM
Beautiful quilt! I love how you made these subtle fabrics so striking and lovely.
Posted by: Pippa | February 20, 2011 at 10:18 PM
I love how soft looking this charm 'quilt' is. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: sewkatiedid | August 02, 2011 at 01:20 PM
it looks fabulous Benita. Saw this on Pinterest. Haven't been here for ages. I'd forgotten how beautiful your styling was.
Posted by: Tiel | October 09, 2011 at 08:03 AM
Love this. Quiet and restful but neither dull nor mimsy. Just beautiful
Posted by: Katharine | November 20, 2011 at 06:49 PM